Brian L. Spohn, Holly US

Brian L. Spohn, Holly, MI US

Patent application number

Description

Published

20110258984

START-STOP HYBRID EXOTHERMIC CATALYST HEATING SYSTEM - A catalyst heating system includes a first monitoring module, a mode selection module and an electrically heated catalyst (EHC) control module. The first monitoring module monitors at least one of (i) a first temperature of a first catalyst of a catalyst assembly in an exhaust system of an engine and (ii) an active catalyst volume of the catalyst assembly. The mode selection module is configured to select an EHC heating mode and at least one of a fuel enrichment mode and a secondary air injection mode based on the at least one of the first temperature and the active catalyst volume. The EHC control module controls current to one of the first catalyst and a second catalyst of the catalyst assembly based on the mode signal.

10-27-2011

20110277449

HYBRID CATALYST RADIANT PREHEATING SYSTEM - A catalyst heating system includes a monitoring module, a mode selection module and an electrically heated catalyst (EHC) control module. The monitoring module monitors at least one of (i) a first active volume of a catalyst assembly in an exhaust system of an engine and (ii) a first temperature of a non-EHC of the catalyst assembly. The mode selection module is configured to select a non-EHC radiant heating mode and generate a mode signal based on the at least one of the first active catalyst volume and the first temperature. An EHC control module increases temperature of the EHC to an elevated temperature that is greater than a stabilization temperature based on the mode signal. The stabilization temperature is greater than a catalyst light off temperature.

11-17-2011

20110283675

HYBRID CATALYST CONVECTIVE PREHEATING SYSTEM - A catalyst heating system includes a monitoring module, a mode selection module and an electrically heated catalyst (EHC) control module. The monitoring module monitors at least one of (i) a first temperature of a non-EHC of a catalyst assembly in an exhaust system of an engine and (ii) an active catalyst volume of the catalyst assembly. The mode selection module is configured to select an EHC heating mode and generate a mode signal based on the at least one of the first temperature and the active catalyst volume. The EHC control module controls current to an EHC of the catalyst assembly based on the mode signal.

11-24-2011

20120102952

METHOD FOR CONTROLLING EXHAUST GAS HEAT RECOVERY SYSTEMS IN VEHICLES - A method of operating an exhaust gas heat recovery (EGHR) system in a vehicle including an engine, a transmission, and an EGHR heat exchanger is provided. The method includes monitoring an engine water temperature and may include monitoring a transmission oil temperature and an ambient air temperature. The method includes comparing the monitored engine water temperature to one or more calibrated engine temperatures. Based upon the monitored temperatures and comparison to the calibrated temperatures, the method controls a two-way valve. The two-way valve is configured to be set to one of an engine position and a transmission position. The engine position allows heat-exchange communication between the EGHR heat exchanger and the engine, and the transmission position allows heat-exchange communication between the EGHR heat exchanger, the transmission, and the engine.

05-03-2012

20120143437

METHOD FOR CONTROLLING EXHAUST GAS HEAT RECOVERY SYSTEMS IN VEHICLES - A method of operating a vehicle including an engine, a transmission, an exhaust gas heat recovery (EGHR) heat exchanger, and an oil-to-water heat exchanger providing selective heat-exchange communication between the engine and transmission. The method includes controlling a two-way valve, which is configured to be set to one of an engine position and a transmission position. The engine position allows heat-exchange communication between the EGHR heat exchanger and the engine, but does not allow heat-exchange communication between the EGHR heat exchanger and the oil-to-water heat exchanger. The transmission position allows heat-exchange communication between the EGHR heat exchanger, the oil-to-water heat exchanger, and the engine. The method also includes monitoring an ambient air temperature and comparing the monitored ambient air temperature to a predetermined cold ambient temperature. If the monitored ambient air temperature is greater than the predetermined cold ambient temperature, the two-way valve is set to the transmission position.

06-07-2012

20120203404

METHOD FOR HEATING HYBRID POWERTRAIN COMPONENTS - A method of controlling a hybrid powertrain having an electric machine and an engine is provided. The method includes determining a requested power and an excess power for the hybrid powertrain. The requested power substantially meets the needs of the hybrid powertrain. The excess power is non-zero and is not included in the determined requested power. The method also includes absorbing the excess power with the electric machine.

08-09-2012

20120204536

CATALYTIC CONVERTER COMBUSTION STRATEGY FOR A HYBRID VEHICLE - A method of operating a hybrid vehicle when an internal combustion engine is not running includes heating a flow of air flowing through an exhaust gas treatment system of the internal combustion engine that is supplied by an air pump with a heating module and a hydrocarbon injector. The heating module heats an electrically heated catalyst of the exhaust gas treatment system in preparation for starting the internal combustion engine. Additionally, thermal energy is recovered from the flow of air downstream of the electrically heated catalyst and transferred to at least one other vehicle system to provide thermal energy to the vehicle system, such as an engine coolant for a cabin heating system or a transmission fluid for a drivetrain transmission system.

08-16-2012

20120204539

HYBRID VEHICLE THERMAL MANAGEMENT USING A BYPASS PATH IN A CATALYTIC CONVERTER UNIT - A hybrid vehicle includes an exhaust gas treatment system having a bypass valve for directing a flow of air or exhaust gas through a bypass path or through a primary catalyst. The hybrid vehicle includes an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, each selectively engageable with a transmission to provide a drive torque. The electric motor spins the internal combustion engine when engaged to provide the drive torque, thereby creating a flow of unheated air from the internal combustion engine that flows through the exhaust gas treatment system. The bypass valve directs the flow of air through the bypass path when the engine is spinning and not fueled to prevent cooling of the primary catalyst. The bypass valve directs the flow of exhaust gas through the primary catalyst when the internal combustion engine is spinning and is being fueled, i.e., running, to treat the flow of exhaust gas.

08-16-2012

20120283067

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EFFECTING LIGHT-OFF OF A CATALYTIC CONVERTER IN A HYBRID POWERTRAIN SYSTEM - A powertrain system includes a hybrid transmission and an internal combustion engine coupled to an exhaust aftertreatment device. A method for operating the powertrain system includes operating the hybrid transmission to generate tractive torque responsive to an operator torque request with the internal combustion engine in an engine-off state so long as the tractive torque is less than a threshold. The internal combustion engine is operated in an engine-on state at preferred operating conditions to effect light-off of the exhaust aftertreatment device and the hybrid transmission is coincidentally operated to generate tractive torque responsive to the operator torque request when the operator torque request exceeds the threshold. The internal combustion engine is then operated in the engine-on state to generate tractive torque responsive to the operator torque request.

METHOD OF TREATING EMISSIONS OF A HYBRID VEHICLE WITH A HYDROCARBON ABSORBER AND A CATALYST BYPASS SYSTEM - A method of treating emissions from an internal combustion engine of a hybrid vehicle includes directing a flow of air created by the internal combustion engine when the internal combustion engine is spinning but not being fueled through a hydrocarbon absorber to collect hydrocarbons within the flow of air. When the hydrocarbon absorber is full and unable to collect additional hydrocarbons, the flow of air is directed through an electrically heated catalyst to treat the flow of air and remove the hydrocarbons. When the hydrocarbon absorber is not full and able to collect additional hydrocarbons, the flow of air is directed through a bypass path that bypasses the electrically heated catalyst to conserve the thermal energy stored within the electrically heated catalyst.

02-07-2013

20130046425

METHOD FOR CONTROLLING POWERTRAIN PUMPS - A method of controlling a pump supplying a fluid to a transmission includes sensing a requested power and an excess power for a powertrain. The requested power substantially meets the needs of the powertrain, while the excess power is not part of the requested power. The method includes sensing a triggering condition in response to the ability to convert the excess power into heat in the transmission, and determining that an operating temperature of the transmission is below a maximum. The method also includes determining a calibrated baseline and a dissipation command for the pump. The calibrated baseline command is configured to supply the fluid based upon the requested power, and the dissipation command is configured to supply additional fluid and consume the excess power with the pump. The method operates the pump at a combined command, which is equal to the calibrated baseline plus the dissipation commands.

02-21-2013

20130087304

EXHAUST GAS HEAT RECOVERY SYSTEM - A powertrain includes an engine, an exhaust system including an exhaust passageway in fluid communication with the engine, an exhaust gas heat exchanger, a transmission having a transmission cooling system, a transmission heat exchanger, a heater core, a pump, and an engine coolant circuit. The engine coolant circuit provides fluid communication between the engine, the exhaust gas heat exchanger, the transmission heat exchanger, the heater core, and the pump. The exhaust gas heat exchanger is operatively connected to the exhaust system and configured to transfer heat between the engine coolant circuit and the exhaust system. The transmission heat exchanger is operatively connected to the transmission cooling system and configured to transfer heat between the engine coolant circuit and the transmission cooling system.

04-11-2013

20130099012

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HEATING A VEHICLE CABIN - A method of heating a cabin of a motor vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine operatively connected to an exhaust system having a catalyst, and a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is provided. The method includes detecting a request to increase temperature inside the cabin, supplying fuel and air to the engine, and motoring the engine to pump the fuel and air into the exhaust system. The method also includes heating the catalyst to combust the fuel and air inside the catalyst such that a stream of post-combustion exhaust gas is generated. The method additionally includes channeling the generated stream of post-combustion exhaust gas to the HVAC system such that a temperature of a coolant circulated through the HVAC system is increased to heat the cabin. A system configured to perform the above method is also disclosed.

04-25-2013

20130280561

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USING EXHAUST GAS TO HEAT AND CHARGE A BATTERY FOR A HYBRID VEHICLE - A system and method for using exhaust gas to heat and/or charge a battery for a hybrid vehicle is provided. The system and method use an exhaust gas heat recovery (EGHR) device to heat a heat transfer fluid. The heat transfer fluid is thermally connected to a first heat exchanger to heat the battery and/or to a second heat exchanger to charge the battery if predetermined conditions are met.

10-24-2013

20140315683

DRIVELINE CLUTCH VARIABLE CLUTCH CAPACITY REAPPLY, SHAPING AND LASH MANAGEMENT - Method to control a clutch device within a transmission selectively coupling an internal combustion engine to a driveline includes controlling slip of the clutch device in response to an engine autostart event. Controlling slip includes adjusting a commanded fill pressure to the clutch device to a first predetermined magnitude that exceeds a pressure threshold until the clutch device is filled, decreasing the commanded fill pressure from the first predetermined magnitude to a second predetermined magnitude below the pressure threshold, and adjusting the commanded fill pressure in accordance with a first ramping profile and in accordance with a subsequent second ramping profile when a transmission input speed achieves a desired first transmission input speed.

10-23-2014

20140375116

HIGH VOLTAGE PROTECTION SYSTEM - An electronics housing for a high voltage system of a vehicle defines an interior region, and includes a connection header wall having a window. An optical proximity sensor is disposed within the interior region of the electronics housing, adjacent the window. A cover is removably attached to the electronics housing adjacent an exterior surface of the connection header wall. The cover is disposed over the window. The optical proximity sensor is operable to sense the presence of the cover through the window when the cover is attached to the electronics housing.

12-25-2014

20150073680

EGHR MECHANISM DIAGNOSTICS - An automated method for diagnosing an EGHR having a coolant path, an exhaust path, a heat exchanger, and a valve. The coolant path passes through the heat exchanger and the valve selectively directs the exhaust path through the heat exchanger. The method includes monitoring an inlet temperature and an outlet temperature of the coolant path, determining an instantaneous coolant power from the monitored inlet temperature and outlet temperature, and integrating the instantaneous coolant power to determine a total energy recovered by the coolant path. The method monitors an instantaneous exhaust power, determines an instantaneous available EGHR power from the instantaneous exhaust power, and integrates the instantaneous available EGHR power to determine a nominal EGHR energy. A differential is calculated between the nominal EGHR energy and the total energy recovered by the coolant path. If the calculated differential is greater than an allowable tolerance, an EGHR error signal is sent.